Modi has realised the BJP’s core ideological programme – welfare for the poor, a safe nation, abrogation of Article 370, Uniform National Code (UCC), protection of women’s rights and Ram temple – and his popularity is naturally a strength for the party, he added. “He is our greatest leader.”
Accusing the main opposition party of misleading the people on the issue of reservation for Muslims, he said the accusation that the BJP was lying was baseless and asserted that the party had already implemented such religious quotas in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
“If they are misleading people by presenting bits and pieces of the truth, isn’t it our duty to put it together and inform people,” he said, defending Prime Minister Modi in his slamming the BJP over the issues of religious quotas and wealth redistribution.
“You may have heard Rahul Gandhi’s X-ray speech and understood. So what do you want to X-ray? If you want equal distribution, to whom will it be distributed? Manmohan Singh said minorities come first. What do you think about this,” he asked, when asked about the BJP’s accusations against Modi.
Asked about the Indian National Congress’ promise to provide 10 lakh rupees to women from poor families, he said the party has a history of making populist promises to come to power and never delivering on them.
“They are in power in a few states. They should at least fulfil this promise there. They should at least start giving the promised Rs 1,500 (in Himachal Pradesh). If we are talking about Rs 1 lakh, then they should at least start giving Rs 1,500. Who will trust them?” Shah said.
In states where the ruling coalition is hoping to make big gains, the BJP said it expects to win 24-30 seats in West Bengal and 16-17 seats in Odisha. The coalition is likely to win close to 17 seats in Andhra Pradesh. These three states have 42, 21 and 25 Lok Sabha seats respectively.
Shah claimed the BJP is set to win a majority in the Odisha Assembly for the first time, winning 75 seats in the 147-seat House. The coalition will also come to power in Andhra state, he said.
